A Scientist at the Movies Reviews by Greg Paris

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Title: What Women Want

Date Viewed: 12/17/00

Details:

Mel Gibson

Helen Hunt

Marisa Tomei

Alan Alda

Director: Nancy Meyers

Score: +

The Review: A one-joke movie that carries it off quite well, this shows what happens when unidirectional telepathy works. A philandering, divorced, advertising executive (Gibson) develops the ability to hear the unvoiced thoughts of nearby females (not just humans) -- and undergoes personal revelation as a consequence. Best conceived as a variant of the "stranger in a strange world" genre, the majority of its interest (and humor) comes from what is essentially culture shock, and Gibson's reaction to it. What stirs the pot is his aborted climb up the corporate ladder, a new boss, a new lease on life, and a romantic crisis.

Seeing Mel Gibson struggle with pantyhose is nearly worth the price of admission; seeing his daughter's response to walking in on this marketing experiment, is.

This is an example of a movie that rates very high on first viewing, but whose rating would likely plummet upon multiple viewings. This makes me reluctant to grant an unqualified "thumbs up," but it really is quite entertaining. Includes an amusing cameo by Bette Midler.

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